PSC vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL with University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

PSC vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Polk State College than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($10,011 vs. $12,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 33.6% lower than at Polk State College ($8,090 vs. $12,186).
• University of Wisconsin Whitewater is 219.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $5,922 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.6% higher at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater than at Polk State College (about $8,899 more per year; $18,716.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Polk State College than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (72% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students is 72% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($5,685 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and PSC.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.

PSC vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $15,471 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($9,500 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($98 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.